Is 'devolution-max' the way forward for Scotland?

The Scottish National Party's first conference since its landslide election win has drawn to a close in Inverness.

Its leader, Alex Salmond, says the SNP will campaign "full square" for independence in a referendum due in or before 2015.

The Scottish government wants to break free from the rest of Britain. Despite everything seeming so simple, it's not.

The referendum, or vote, will ask whether Scottish people want full independence with a simple yes or no answer.

The polls suggest only a third of Scots will agree, so there is likely to be a second question on the vote.

It's being nicknamed "devolution max" and will ask whether Scottish people want full tax powers to fall in Holyrood, but keep things like defence and foreign affairs under the control of the Westminster government.

It would see Scotland being given the option to secure greater powers over their own government while remaining as part of the UK.

The SNP propose the Scottish Parliament should be responsible for "all laws, taxes and duties in Scotland".

Paul Scullion - an engineer from Edinburgh - isn't sure his country is ready to break away.

"I admire what Alex Salmond is trying to do, but I wouldn't vote yes at the moment," he says.

But full independence could see Scotland with its own government, own prime minister, maybe even its own army.

"Scotland as an independent country wouldn't survive, I don't think," says Paul.

"We still depend a lot on handouts from Westminster, with things like defence and jobs," he admits.

The Scottish government believe "devolution max" will secure a "yes" vote and so is the party's back-up plan.

It could see a difference in taxes paid by Scottish people and the rest of the United Kingdom.

For example, the rate of income tax could vary by up to 10p in the pound compared with the rest of the UK.

The SNP maintain full independence is the party's long term ambition, so this is seen as a stepping stone and a way of achieving independence in the long run.

The Scottish First Minister - and his party - have been set on independence, so failing to achieve that would be embarrassing. This second question on the referendum could end up saving him.

Alex Salmond hopes by promising to maintain links with England, independence could be achieved in the long run.

Twenty-one-year-old Asha Rennie is studying to become a teacher at Aberdeen University. She is a big SNP supporter.

"I'm totally for it [independence]. It means being our own country.

"Without being attached to the rest of Britain there would be more opportunity to let our culture shine through," she says.

The party's decision to keep the Queen and the pound sterling as currency are all ways of the SNP hoping to win over voters.

"Maybe there should be a balance where we are independent but where we could come together on some things," suggests Asha.

The two-question referendum is at least three years away, but Alex Salmond's campaign is now well under way.

The UK government has set up a special committee of ministers to consider how best to respond.